July 05 Issue

Business as Diplomacy: Daniel Birnbaum, the American-born CEO of the Israeli company SodaStream, is on a mission. But whether that mission is to make millions of dollars selling fizzy water makers, to promote his personal brand of Zionism, or a combination of both, depends on whom you ask.

When Democrats took control of the House last January, visions of subpoena power danced in their heads. Six months later, the question looms: Will they have anything to show for their efforts before the next election—just 17 months off.

Illuminated by mobile phones, people chant slogans, including “civilian rule,” as a young man recites a poem about revolution on June 19. After dictator Omar Hassan al-Bashir was deposed following 30 years of authoritarian rule in April, hopes for democracy swelled in the country but they were soon crushed when the new military government attacked protestors, killing and raping dozens.